In Denver, a Former Brownfield Becomes a Park

After a 14-year battle to bring the project to life, the Platte Farm Open Space brings much-needed green space to a north Denver neighborhood.

2 minute read

April 1, 2021, 10:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


South Platte River

Ken Lund / Flickr

"This past summer, the Center for American Progress and the Hispanic Access Foundation released a report finding that communities of color experience 'nature deprivation' at three times the rate of white Americans," writes Ambika Chawla. "According to the report, 74% of communities of color live in nature-deprived areas, with Black communities experiencing the highest levels of deprivation." A 2019 study from the University of British Columbia that analyzed ten U.S. cities concluded that "the widespread green inequities uncovered by this research are serious issues in the context of the effects of urban vegetation on urban health and well-being." Urban residents with less access to green space "are also those who are most likely to experience poor public health outcomes that could potentially be mitigated by adequate exposure to urban vegetation."

In Denver, the Platte Farm Open Space provides an example of a successful community-led project that transformed a former brownfield site in a working-class neighborhood into a vibrant community amenity. "Through a process of remediation, contaminated land was replaced with fresh layers of topsoil, and is now home to prairie habitat that attracts foxes, rabbits, birds and butterflies." The project was "a collaborative effort between the community members of Globeville, the city of Denver, and Groundwork Denver, a nonprofit organization that works to create green spaces to help improve community health." 

While several factors—including the city of Denver's recent commitment to create an open space within a 10-minute walk of all residents—came together over close to a decade and a half to make Platte Farm a reality, urban park advocates know they face a long uphill battle to achieving park equity in Denver and elsewhere. "Limited financial resources for environmental justice organizations, green gentrification, and redlining are among the many obstacles that have resulted in inequitable access to green space, worsening health disparities among urban communities."

Research increasingly shows that access to parks and urban vegetation have positive effects on physical and mental health. "Benefits may include improved cognitive development and functioning, reduced symptom severity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, reduced obesity, and positive impacts on mental health." Many of these are related to the opportunity for higher rates of physical activity in neighborhoods with more access to green spaces, signaling that park access, more than a pleasant amenity, is an essential component of healthy neighborhoods.

Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Next City

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Urban sidewalk shaded by large mature trees

Cool Walkability Planning

Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.

June 1, 2023 - Todd Litman

Traffic on the 405 interstate freeway through the Sepulveda Pass at Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California

Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.

The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.

May 30, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Empty Muni underground train platform

Activists Mourn Potential Death of Bay Area Transit With Mock Funeral

In an action meant to draw attention to the financial crisis facing California’s public transit agencies, activists held a mock funeral for BART and Muni, citing the cause of death as ‘neglect.’

22 minutes ago - SFGate

Close-up of phone screen with Airbnb app screen

Proposed Short-Term Rental Tax Would Fund Affordable Housing in California

A state bill would impose a tax similar to a hotel tax on short-term rental owners, with the revenue funding affordable housing projects.

1 hour ago - Cap Radio

Elderly woman enters house with help from caregiver who is holding her hands

The Challenges of Aging in Place

Seniors in one Bay Area community want to stay in their communities, but many find the cost of living and maintaining older homes prohibitive.

2 hours ago - Palo Alto Online

Project Manager III

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

UDO Transportation Planner

City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.